State conducts prison utilization study

Officials representing several southeastern Colorado entities were present Tuesday afternoon in Las Animas to back Bent County commissioners and community members in a joint effort to sway state officials elsewhere in light of a recent announcement by the State of Colorado and Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC) that prison closure may be eminent in the near future.

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By Joe Zemba

LA Junta Tribune - La Junta, CO

By Joe Zemba

Posted Jun. 13, 2013 at 1:00 PM

By Joe Zemba

Posted Jun. 13, 2013 at 1:00 PM

Officials representing several southeastern Colorado entities were present Tuesday afternoon in Las Animas to back Bent County commissioners and community members in a joint effort to sway state officials elsewhere in light of a recent announcement by the State of Colorado and Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC) that prison closure may be eminent in the near future.

The visit, like several others across the state, was co-hosted by the Governor's Office of Economic Development & International Trade and State Planning & Budgeting and the Colorado Department of Corrections. Officials expressed a desire to share with communities that are home to a state operated facility, or contract with the State of Colorado, information about declining prison populations in Colorado and the state's plan for appropriately utilizing state prisons and assisting communities that may be adversely impacted by potential prison closures.

In 2012, the Colorado General Assembly commissioned the Prison Utilization Study, which directed the Department of Corrections to conduct a system-wide analysis that identifies the most appropriate and cost-effective uses of the available public and private inmate beds.

Las Animas, home of Bent County County Correctional Facility, was the second stop of the day for state and DOC representatives, who had earlier in the day visited Ordway (Crowley County), where state owned Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility and Bent County's sister facility, Crowley County Correctional Facility, operate.

Bent County Correctional Facility and Crowley County Correctional Facility are both owned by Corrections Corporation of America, a privately owned company, though operating contracts for both facilities fall under state supervision.

Reeves Brown, representing the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, opened discussion by explaining the general purpose of the meeting. According to Brown, studies have shown a decline in prison populations, supported by a decrease in offender population by roughly 3,000 inmates. In a handout given to those in attendance, Brown highlighted several factors, including a boom in the state's prison population, which led to the need for additional beds, followed by a significant decrease, reflected by an average of 131 inmates per month during fiscal year 2011-2012.

The causes of the decline, explained further by Brown, are due in large part to falling crime rate, fewer offenders entering prison due to statutory changes that provide alternatives to incarceration for less dangerous, nonviolent offenders, an increase in parole population, a decrease in prison terms, and reclassification of inmates.

In 2012, Bent County fell prey to the declining prison population, which resulted in the closure of Fort Lyon Correctional Facility, costing the county 200 jobs.

"We learned a lot from Fort Lyon," said Brown. "The governor made the repurposing of Fort Lyon a huge priority because we realized that its closure made a huge impact in the region and the state does not want to repeat that effect."

Bent County Commissioner Bill Long, during a period alloted for questions, commented on behalf of Bent County and Bent County Correctional Facility, saying, "We understand there is a decline in prison population, just like we understood when there was growth. Bent County is the site of the first privately owned correctional facility in the state. We were there when the state was in a dire straight. Where we sit now, we think that Bent County has paid our dues. We've worked hard and we've pulled ourselves up by our bootstraps and we don't think that we should have to do that twice. We cannot afford another closure when there are other communities with facilities across the state."

Page 2 of 2 - Otero County Commissioner Kieth Goodwin, speaking on behalf of Otero and Las Animas counties, echoed Long's statements, adding, "When Fort Lyon closed, it not only affected this community, but those around it as well. We are all tied together and we are all one. A lot of communities lost those jobs."

Brown responded to the comments in saying, "Your message is expected and is heard very clear. Because of Fort Lyon, we will have a better tool kit this time around and the case will be better known."

Over the past five years, the State of Colorado closed nine different prisons, including facilities in Walsenburg, Canon City (2), Buena Vista, Fort Morgan, Sterling, Trinidad, Centennial and Las Animas.

Also present, Department of Corrections Interim Director Roger Warholtz spoke briefly about DOC's main concerns with prison closure, pointing out four key guiding points, including DOC's ability to fulfill their duties, the impact on staff and inmates in the DOC system, tax dollars to local communities, and the impact on host partner communities.

Additionally, Warholtz responded to several comments aimed at pinpointing the cause of declining prison numbers, which targeted the state's approach toward reclassification of inmates, the increase in paroled inmates, and shortened sentences.

According to Warholtz, several issues fall back on the justice system and lawyers who do not pursue maximum sentencing, in addition to an effort by the DOC to better prepare inmates for life outside of prison, the result of reclassification and non-repeat offenders.

In explaining the state's plans following prison closure, Brown, along with Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade Director of Regional Development Kari Linker detailed intentions to follow up with affected communities following closure to limit economic downfall. According to Linker, $3 million has been earmarked to assist rural communities, monies which will be used to sustain rural economies if affected by a prison closure. When targeted, Linker says her office will assist with repurposing prisons, much like Fort Lyon, and assisting local economic development officials to enhance local business and make up for lost funds using a community asset analysis and grant funding opportunities.

While yet to be completed, Brown informed attendees that results of the Prison Utilization Study will be released June 20, while recommendations or decisions as to which prison facilities will need to be decommissioned in part or in whole is not expected until late summer.